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The Mary B. Martin School of the Arts, in cooperation with South Arts 2012-13 Southern Circuit of Independent Filmmakers, presents Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock, a documentary film.
Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little Rock tells the story of a seven-year journey by filmmaker Sharon La Cruise, to unravel the life of a forgotten civil rights activist named Daisy Bates. In 1957, Bates became a household name when she fought for the right of nine black students to attend the all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. Bates’ public support culminated in a constitutional crisis—pitting a president against a governor and community members against each other. As head of the Arkansas NAACP and protector of the nine students, Daisy Bates would achieve instant fame as the drama played out on national television and in newspapers around the world. Ultimately the fame would prove fleeting, and for her attempts to remain relevant, she would pay a hefty price. This documentary travels with Daisy Bates on her long and lonely walk from orphaned child to newspaperwoman to national Civil Rights figure to her last days in Little Rock.

Following a screening of the film, Producer/Director Sharon La Cruise and the audience will engage in a discussion about the film. A reception with the filmmaker follows.

The 2012-13 Southern Circuit is a program of South Arts. Southern Circuit screenings are funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and local partner organizations.